Animated Shorts Packet

Teaching
Reading and
Writing Skills
with Animated
Short Films
Created by Gay Miller 1

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Teaching Reading and Writing Skills with Animated Short Films
resource. You can find additional animated shorts resources in my
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2
© Gay Miller
The next four animated short activities are samples from
Teaching Reading and Writing Skills with Animated Short Films Part 1 .
If you would like more click on the image cover below.
Where to find the Video
Inference
Each of these links go to the same video. Multiple links are included since I have no control over
individuals removing their video files from the Internet.
Lonely Island Youtube Youtube

Lonely Island
List ways the viewer knows the man
has been on the island a long time.
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
______________________________
Why is there a tombstone on the

Why does the man use a telescope?
beach?
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
CCSS.ELA- _______________________________
Literacy.RL.4.1 _______________________________
Refer to details and _______________________________
examples in a text
_______________________________
when explaining _______________________________
_______________________________
what the text says
explicitly and when
drawing inferences
from the text.
CCSS.ELA- What does “Next Level at 20” mean? How many objects has the man
Literacy.RL.5.1 knocked out of the sky?
Quote accurately _______________________________
from a text when _______________________________
explaining what the _______________________________
text says explicitly
_______________________________
and when drawing
_______________________________
_______________________________
inferences from the
_______________________________
text. _______________________________
CCSS.ELA- _______________________________
Literacy.RL.6.1 Cite _______________________________
textual evidence to _______________________________
support analysis of _______________________________
what the text says
explicitly as well as
inferences drawn
from the text.
© Gay Miller
Lonely Island
List ways the viewer knows the

man has been on the island a long
time.
He has built a hut.
He has learned how to catch food from
the sea.
He has shot down 17 flying objects.
Why is there a tombstone on the

beach?
Why does the man use a telescope?
The tombstone has a Superman
The man is looking for food in the
emblem with the words Super Baby. It
CCSS.ELA- ocean.
Literacy.RL.4.1 appears the man knocked down a
Refer to details and superhero.
examples in a text
when explaining
what the text says
explicitly and when
drawing inferences
from the text. What does “Next Level at 20”
CCSS.ELA- mean?
Literacy.RL.5.1
Quote accurately
from a text when
The man considers knocking flying
explaining what the objects out of the sky a game. He has How many objects has the man
text says explicitly knocked down 17 items and will go to knocked out of the sky?
and when drawing the next level when he knocks down
inferences from the
20. This is like he was playing a video seventeen
text.
CCSS.ELA- game. Viewers can assume he will
Literacy.RL.6.1 Cite move off the island to a different
textual evidence to location after he knocks down 20 flying
support analysis of objects.
what the text says
explicitly as well as
inferences drawn
from the text.
© Gay Miller
Summarizing
Peck Pocketed Vimeo Youtube Youtube Daily Motion Kids Love Short Films
Peck Pocketed
Somebody Wanted But So

(main character) (plot) (conflict) (resolution)
_______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________

_______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________
_______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________
_______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________
_______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________
_______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________
_______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________
_______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________
_______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________
_______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________
_______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________
_______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________
Write a “Somebody Wanted But So Statement.”
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.4.2 Determine a theme of a story, drama, or poem from details in the text; summarize the text.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.5.2 Determine a theme of a story, drama, or poem from details in the text, including how characters in a story or
drama respond to challenges or how the speaker in a poem reflects upon a topic; summarize the text.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.6.2 Determine a theme or central idea of a text and how it is conveyed through particular details; provide a summary
of the text distinct from personal opinions or judgments.
© Gay Miller
Peck Pocketed ~ Answer Key
Somebody Wanted But So

(main character) (plot) (conflict) (resolution)
The bird wanted to have a luxury but he didn’t have the items He stole items from a lady
bird’s nest he had seen in the magazine who was napping on a park
bench under his tree.
The lady on the park bench wanted the bird to pay for But she didn’t want to hurt She uses the elastic lace
taking her elastic lace the bird like a slingshot and sends
the bird flying across the
park. Ironically, the bird
lands on a billboard
feathering a luxury room.
Write a “Somebody Wanted But So Statement.”
The bird wanted to have a luxury bird’s nest, but he didn’t have the items he had seen in the
magazine, so he stole items from a lady who was napping on a park bench under his tree to make his
home more luxurious.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.5.2 Determine a theme of a story, drama, or poem from details in the text, including how characters in
a story or drama respond to challenges or how the speaker in a poem reflects upon a topic; summarize the text.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.6.2 Determine a theme or central idea of a text and how it is conveyed through particular details;
provide a summary of the text distinct from personal opinions or judgments.
© Gay Miller
Main Idea and Details
Lifted Vimeo Youtube Daily Motion

Lifted
Detail #4
Detail #3 __________________________ Detail #5
__________________________________ __________________________ __________________________________

__________________________________ __________________________ __________________________________
__________________________________ __________________________ __________________________________
__________________________________ ________________________ __________________________________
__________________________________ __________________________ __________________________________
__________________________________ __________________________ __________________________________
__________________________
Detail #2
Detail #6
__________________________
__________________________________
_________________________ __________________________________
__________________________________
__________________________________
__________________________________ Main Idea __________________________________
__________________________________ _____________________________ __________________________________
__________________________________ _____________________________
__________________________________
__________________________________ _____________________________
__________________________________
_____________________________
Detail #1
_____________________________ Detail #7
__________________________________ _____________________________ __________________________________
__________________________________ _____________________________ __________________________________
__________________________________ _____________________________ __________________________________
__________________________________ _____________________________ __________________________________
__________________________________ _____________________________
__________________________________
__________________________________ ____________________________
__________________________________
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.5.2 Determine a theme of a story, drama, or poem from details in the text, including how characters in a story or drama respond to challenges or how the speaker
in a poem reflects upon a topic; summarize the text.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.6.2 Determine a theme or central idea of a text and how it is conveyed through particular details; provide a summary of the text distinct from personal opinions
or judgments.
Lifted ~ Answer Key
Detail #4
Detail #3 The young alien turns off the Detail #5

tractor beam without closing
Eventually the young alien figures out the hatch. The farmer The examiner takes over the
how to get the farmer into the space plummets to the ground. controls. He stops the farmer
craft. from crashing to the ground
just inches before he hits.
Detail #2 Detail #6
The alien becomes frustrated because The examiner sets everything in the
the examiner does not help and shows house back in its rightful place. The
no emotion. The alien then flings himself young alien tearfully watches the
on the control panel hitting many examiner.
switches. The farmer bounces all over Main Idea
the house but doesn’t wake up.
A young alien inside a flying

saucer is taking a test on
human abduction. He must
Detail #1 abduct a farmer from his
Detail #7
home while an examiner
The young alien flicks some of the toggle takes notes. The young alien The examiner decides to allow the young
switches. The farmer bumps into walls must use thousands of alien to launch the spaceship for home.
and the ceiling but does not wake up. identical toggle switches in When the young alien grabs the controls,
this exam. the spaceship slams to the ground right
over the farmer’s house. As it lifts, the
only thing left of the farmhouse is a pillar
of dirt with the farmer’s bed.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.5.2 Determine a theme of a story, drama, or poem from details in the text, including how characters in a story or drama respond to challenges or how the speaker
in a poem reflects upon a topic; summarize the text.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.6.2 Determine a theme or central idea of a text and how it is conveyed through particular details; provide a summary of the text distinct from personal opinions
or judgments.
Perspective
Oktapodi Vimeo Youtube Vimeo

Oktapodi
•________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
Who is telling the _________________________________________________

story? _________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
•________________________________________________
How does the _________________________________________________

narrator’s point of _________________________________________________
view change how
the events are being _________________________________________________
described?
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.4.6 Compare •________________________________________________

and contrast the point of view from
which different stories are narrated,
Why do you think _________________________________________________
including the difference between first-
and third-person narrations. the narrator _________________________________________________
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.5.6 Describe described the
how a narrator's or speaker's point of events the way he _________________________________________________
view influences how events are did? _________________________________________________
described.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.6.6 Explain how
_________________________________________________
an author develops the point of view
of the narrator or speaker in a text.
•________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
How would the story
change if a different _________________________________________________
character was the _________________________________________________
narrator?
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
© Gay Miller
Oktapodi ~ Answer Key
•an octopus
Who is telling the
•The camera remains on the octopus except for one small
story?
scene which shows the man driving down stairs and tumbling
into the sea.
•The story follows the octopus.

How does the
narrator’s point of •The viewer sees through the octopus’s eyes that the man is a
view change how butcher. He envisions his love being chopped up for a meal.
the events are being
described? •The viewer does not know what happened to the man after
he crashes his delivery truck.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.4.6 Compare
and contrast the point of view from •The viewer can emphasize with the octopus.
which different stories are narrated,
Why do you think
including the difference between first-
and third-person narrations. the narrator •The viewer feels the man is the villain. He is hurting the
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.5.6 Describe described the octopus by taking his love away.
how a narrator's or speaker's point of events the way he
view influences how events are did? •The viewer is pulling (cheering) for the octopus. The viewer
described. wants the octopus to be successful.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.6.6 Explain how
an author develops the point of view
of the narrator or speaker in a text.
How would the story •If the story were told from the man’s viewpoint, the viewer
change if a different would have a better understanding of his feelings.
character was the
narrator? •The viewer would want the man to get back his possession.
© Gay Miller
The next five animated short activities are samples from
Teaching Reading and Writing Skills with Animated Short Films Part 2 .
Theme
Youtube
Total Short Films
(Pt 1) Daily Motion
Mater and the Ghostlight
(Pt 2) (without sound)
Metatube
(Pt 3)
Mater and the Ghostlight
Select two themes that are present in Mater and the Ghostlight. After writing the theme, give proof.
Proof Proof
Theme _______________________________
_______________________________
_________________________________ _______________________________
_______________________________
_________________________________ _______________________________
_______________________________
_________________________________ _______________________________
_______________________________
_________________________________ _______________________________
_______________________________
_________________________________ _______________________________
_______________________________
_________________________________ _______________________________
_______________________________
_________________________________ _______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
Theme
Proof Proof
_________________________________
_________________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________
_________________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________
_________________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________
_________________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________
_________________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________
_________________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________
_______________________________ _______________________________
_______________________________ _______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.4.2 Determine a theme of a story, drama, or poem from details in the text;
summarize the text.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.5.2 Determine a theme of a story, drama, or poem from details in the text,
including how characters in a story or drama respond to challenges or how the speaker in a poem
reflects upon a topic; summarize the text.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.6.2 Determine a theme or central idea of a text and how it is conveyed
through particular details; provide a summary of the text distinct from personal opinions or
judgments. 18
© Gay Miller
Mater and the Ghostlight – Answer Key
Select two themes that are present in Mater and the Ghostlight. After writing the theme, give proof.
Proof
Lightning and Guido attach a
Proof lantern to Mater’s towing cable to
Theme teach him a lesson. Mater drives up
Lightning McQueen states that he and down the road thinking he is
The author wants the viewer to sure hopes Mater isn’t waiting
believe in the “Golden Rule.” fleeing from the Ghostlight. When
around to scare him. This tells the Mater gets tired and slows down, he
audience that Mater’s pranks are sees the light is just a lantern.
commonplace and not liked.
The joke teaches Mater a lesson. He
now knows what the others feel like
when he pulls pranks.
Proof
Theme Proof
Mater is easy to fool. When the
Mater teases Lightning McQueen other cars set him up to think the
The author is trying to convey the
when he jumps by saying he must Ghostlight is chasing him, Mater
message that you should be kind to
be afraid of the Ghostlight. quakes and runs away. Later he
others because what goes around
The other cars decide to frighten states, “I knowed this was a joke
comes around.
Mater with the very thing that he the whole time.”
was teasing McQueen about, the The audience knows that Mater was
Ghostlight. really afraid. He learns what it feels
like to be in the center of joke.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.4.2 Determine a theme of a story, drama, or poem from details in the text; summarize
the text.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.5.2 Determine a theme of a story, drama, or poem from details in the text, including
how characters in a story or drama respond to challenges or how the speaker in a poem reflects upon a topic;
summarize the text.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.6.2 Determine a theme or central idea of a text and how it is conveyed through
particular details; provide a summary of the text distinct from personal opinions or judgments.
© Gay Miller 19
Characters
Geri's Game Vimeo Youtube Daily Motion Total Short Films
Geri’s Game
•List two reasons the character with glasses is

•Name two things this character does to earn the
Black Geri
White Geri
nicknamed White Geri.

nickname Black Geri.
•_________________________________________
•_________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
List personality traits of White Geri.
List personality traits of Black Geri.
•_________________________________________ •_________________________________________
__________________________________________ __________________________________________
__________________________________________ __________________________________________
__________________________________________ __________________________________________
Describe Geri’s mental state. __________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Describe how the story is ‘told’ without any words. _________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.4.3 Describe in depth a character, setting, or event in a story or drama, drawing on specific
details in the text (e.g., a character’s thoughts, words, or actions).
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.5.3 Compare and contrast two or more characters, settings, or events in a story or drama,
drawing on specific details in the text (e.g., how characters interact).
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.6.3 Describe how a particular story’s or drama’s plot unfolds in a series of episodes as well as
how the characters respond or change as the plot moves toward a resolution. 21
© Gay Miller
Geri’s Game – Answer Key
•List two reasons the character with glasses is

•Name two things this character does to earn
Black Geri
White Geri
nicknamed White Geri.

the nickname Black Geri.
•White Geri plays with the white game pieces. He is
•Black Geri plays the chess game using the black
also the ‘good’ character. In old western films, a
game pieces. His personality appears more like the
white hat signified the character who was good or of
‘bad guy’ as he makes fun and teases his opponent.
high virtue while the characters with black hats were
bad or evil villains. •List characteristics and personality traits of
Black Geri.
• List characteristics and personality traits of
White Geri. •grins and laughs as he makes moves during the
game
•wears glasses
•taunts White Geri by shaking his finger in a motion
•appears to be a deep thinker
that ‘says’ wrong move/bad decision
•looks worried – scratches his head
•gives the appearance of having a lot of confidence
•appears nervous – hands tremble
at playing chess by using boastful expressions
Describe Geri’s mental state.

This is a good question for discussion. Geri could be considered senile by playing a game with himself. Geri could also be bored or
lonely, so he ‘invents’ a friend to play a game with.
Describe how the story is ‘told’ without any words.
Mannerisms, gestures, facial expressions, and the interaction between the two characters are ways the film maker shows the
personality of each of the characters.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.4.3 Describe in depth a character, setting, or event in a story or drama, drawing on specific
details in the text (e.g., a character’s thoughts, words, or actions).
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.5.3 Compare and contrast two or more characters, settings, or events in a story or drama,
drawing on specific details in the text (e.g., how characters interact).
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.6.3 Describe how a particular story’s or drama’s plot unfolds in a series of episodes as well as
how the characters respond or change as the plot moves toward a resolution.
22
© Gay Miller
Cause and Effect
Feast Vimeo Vimeo Daily Motion

Feast
Cause - _____________________________________
Complete the cause and _____________________________________________
effect chain.
_____________________________________________
Effect - ______________________________________________________ Effect - ______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________
Cause - _____________________________________ Cause - _____________________________________

_____________________________________________ _____________________________________________
_____________________________________________ _____________________________________________
Effect - ______________________________________________________ Effect - ______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________
Cause - _____________________________________ Cause - _____________________________________

_____________________________________________ _____________________________________________
_____________________________________________ _____________________________________________
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.5.5 Explain
how a series of chapters, scenes, or
stanzas fits together to provide the
overall structure of a particular story,
Effect - ______________________________________________________
drama, or poem.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.6.5 Analyze
______________________________________________________________
how a particular sentence, chapter,
scene, or stanza fits into the overall ______________________________________________________________
structure of a text and contributes to
the development of the theme, ______________________________________________________________
setting, or plot. 24
© Gay Miller
Feast
Cause - A hungry, stray Boston Terrier puppy licks at a
Complete the cause and fast food wrapper next to a trash can on a street in the
effect chain by filling in all city.
the effects.
Effect - ______________________________________________________ Effect - ______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________
Cause – James begins feeding the puppy that he names

Cause – James and Kirby get married and have a baby. Winston dog food as well as table scraps which includes
a lot of junk food.
Effect - ______________________________________________________ Effect - ______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________
Cause – James is depressed and in low spirits. Cause – James meets a waitress named Kirby at a local
restaurant. They begin dating.
Effect - ______________________________________________________
drama, or poem.
______________________________________________________________
the development of the theme, ______________________________________________________________
© Gay Miller
Feast - Answer Key
Cause - A hungry, stray Boston Terrier puppy licks at a
Complete the cause and fast food wrapper next to a trash can on a street in the
effect chain by filling in all city.
the effects.
Effect – Winston lives a happy life. His owner James is happy

with his new family. Effect – James sees the hungry puppy. He gives him French
Winston gets delicious food that the baby drops. [This bit of fries and takes him home to live with him.
irony causes a laugh from the audience.]
Cause – James begins feeding the puppy that he names

Cause – James and Kirby get married and have a baby. Winston dog food as well as table scraps which includes
a lot of junk food.
Effect – Winston grabs a piece of parsley, which he knows

Kirby likes, and goes to find her. James follows Winston to Effect – Winston begins to grow. He becomes finicky about
the restaurant where Kirby works. James and Kirby what he likes to eat.
reconcile.
Cause – Kirby and James break up. James is depressed Cause – James meets a waitress named Kirby at a local
and in low spirits. restaurant. They begin dating.
drama, or poem. Effect – Kirby encourages James to eat healthy foods. Brussel
sprouts and other vegetables are the normal diet. Winston
scene, or stanza fits into the overall does not like to eat these foods.
the development of the theme,
© Gay Miller
Compare and Contrast
The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr.
Vimeo Youtube Daily Motion Youtube
Morris Lessmore – Animated
The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr.
Youtube Youtube
Morris Lessmore – Book
The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore vs. The Wizard of Oz
Differences Complete the Venn Diagram to show Differences
how The Fantastic Flying Books of
Mr. Morris Lessmore and The Wizard
of Oz movies are alike and different.
Alike
Fantastic Flying
Books of Mr.
Morris Lessmore The Wizard of Oz
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.4.9 Compare and contrast the treatment of similar themes and topics (e.g., opposition of good and evil) and patterns of events (e.g., the quest) in
stories, myths, and traditional literature from different cultures.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.5.9 Compare and contrast stories in the same genre (e.g., mysteries and adventure stories) on their approaches to similar themes and topics.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.6.9 Compare and contrast texts in different forms or genres (e.g., stories and poems; historical novels and fantasy stories) in terms of their
approaches to similar themes and topics. 28
© Gay Miller
The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore vs. The Wizard of Oz –
Answer Key Differences Complete the Venn Diagram to show Differences
how The Fantastic Flying Books of
Mr. Morris Lessmore and The Wizard Dorothy's story is all just a
The color images are in of Oz movies are alike and different.
reverse in The Fantastic dream.
Flying Books of Mr. Morris Alike
Lessmore. Color turns to Both contain
black and white. a storm that
causes the
main
The story is in full color at
character,
the beginning and then turns When Dorothy is in Kansas
house and
to black and white after the film is in black and white.
all, to blow
reaching a new land. When she reaches Oz, the
away to a
new land. film changes to full color.
Mr. Lessmore walks through

A bicycle Dorothy follows the yellow
the countryside along a road Fantastic Flying
is carried brick road to reach the
and meets new characters – Books of Mr.
away by Emerald City. Along the way
a lady floating in the sky and Morris Lessmore The Wizard of Oz
the wind she meets the Scarecrow,
a book with Humpty
of the Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion.
Dumpty.
storm.
The Fantastic Flying Books of Dorothy battles the Wicked

Mr. Morris Lessmore contains Witch.
no antagonists. Both use
color and
black/white
images to
show the
characters
are in a
Mr. Lessmore returns home new Dorothy returns home by
by flying books. setting. clicking her heels together.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.4.9 Compare and contrast the treatment of similar themes and topics (e.g., opposition of good and evil) and patterns of events (e.g., the quest) in
stories, myths, and traditional literature from different cultures.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.5.9 Compare and contrast stories in the same genre (e.g., mysteries and adventure stories) on their approaches to similar themes and topics.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.6.9 Compare and contrast texts in different forms or genres (e.g., stories and poems; historical novels and fantasy stories) in terms of their
approaches to similar themes and topics. 29
© Gay Miller
Problems and Solutions
Taking the Plunge Vimeo Youtube Daily Motion Youtube

Taking the Plunge List the man’s
main problem
Step 1
and solution. Problem
Then list five
____________________________________ ________________________________________________
steps he went
____________________________________ through to get
________________________________________________
from the
____________________________________ problem to ________________________________________________
the solution.
____________________________________ ________________________________________________
________________________________________________
Step 2 ________________________________________________
______________________________________
______________________________________
Solution
______________________________________ _________________________________
______________________________________ _________________________________
Step 3
_________________________________
___________________________________ _________________________________
___________________________________ _________________________________
___________________________________ _________________________________
___________________________________
____
CCSS.ELA- Step 4 Title
LITERACY.RL.5.5 What is the double meaning behind the title of the film?
Explain how a
____________________________________
series of chapters, _______________________________________________
scenes, or stanzas
____________________________________
fits together to _______________________________________________
provide the overall
____________________________________
structure of a _______________________________________________
particular story,
drama, or poem. ____________________________________
CCSS.ELA-
LITERACY.RL.6.5 ____
Analyze how a Step 5
particular
sentence, chapter,
scene, or stanza ____________________________________
fits into the overall
structure of a text ____________________________________
and contributes to
the development of ____________________________________
the theme, setting, 31
or plot. ____________________________________
© Gay Miller
Taking the Plunge - Answer Key List the
man’s main
problem and
solution.
Step 1 Then list five
The man puts on scuba diving gear and steps he Problem
went through A man selects a romantic setting, a dock over the ocean, to
jumps into the ocean to retrieve the ring.
to get from
propose to his girlfriend. When he takes the engagement
the problem
ring out of his pocket, the man is shaking so much he drops
to the
solution. the ring. It rolls into the deep ocean.
Step 2
As he chases the ring which is slowly floating
downward, an octopus gets in front of him, and
the man loses sight of the ring. To let the
octopus know his mission, the man motions to Solution
his ring finger. The octopus makes a heart After the man goes through hunting for
shape with its arms showing he will help. the ring, he gives up and comes to the
dock. He then proposes to his girlfriend
Step 3 without a ring. At the end of the film, the
octopus is seen holding the ring up above
The octopus guides the man to a lookout the ocean’s surface. The audience can
where he can see a line of fish taking infer that the man will get the ring back.
‘treasures’ to a shark. The man sees his ring
on the back of one of the fish.
Title
CCSS.ELA- Step 4 What is the double meaning behind the title of the film?
LITERACY.RL.5.5 The man literally plunged into the ocean to get the ring he
The octopus intervenes by grabbing the ring
Explain how a dropped. Also taking the plunge is an idiom that means to
series of chapters, from the top of the fish and letting it fall into
marry someone.
scenes, or stanzas the ocean where the man can get it. The
fits together to
provide the overall nervous octopus lets off a puff of black ink.
structure of a This causes the shark to chase both the
particular story,
drama, or poem.
octopus and the man.
CCSS.ELA-
LITERACY.RL.6.5
Analyze how a
Step 5
particular The man and octopus hide. When the shark
sentence, chapter,
scene, or stanza spots them and tries to eat them, a large rock
fits into the overall gets lodged in his mouth preventing him from
structure of a text
and contributes to
closing his jaws. The defeated man goes back
the development of to the dock without the ring.
the theme, setting, 32
or plot.
© Gay Miller
The next two animated short activities are samples from
Teaching Reading and Writing Skills with Animated Short Films Christmas .
Links to the Videos
The Letter Vimeo Youtube Dailymotion Youtube
Santa’s Intern Vimeo Youtube
Link to the Google Slides

Sample
34
© Gay Miller
The Letter
The letter is written in German. Is the postmaster in the How long was the letter lost?
What does ‘an opa’ most likely flashback the same one as the
mean? How do you know this? postmaster at the beginning of ____________________________
____________________________ the film? Include proof from the ____________________________
film of your answer.
____________________________ ____________________________
____________________________
____________________________ Explain how you came to this
____________________________ conclusion.
____________________________
____________________________ ____________________________
____________________________
____________________________ ____________________________
____________________________
____________________________ ____________________________
____________________________
____________________________ ____________________________
____________________________
____________________________ ____________________________
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.4.1 Refer to details and examples

in a text when explaining what the text says explicitly
and when drawing inferences from the text.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.5.1 Quote accurately from a text Why do you think the Did the boy receive a bicycle
when explaining what the text says explicitly and when postmaster decided to give the from his grandpa when he was
drawing inferences from the text.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.6.1 Cite textual evidence to
now grown-up man a bike young? Explain why or why not.
support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well meant for a young boy?
as inferences drawn from the text. ____________________________
____________________________
____________________________
____________________________
____________________________
____________________________
____________________________
____________________________
____________________________
____________________________
____________________________
____________________________
____________________________
____________________________
____________________________
____________________________
____________________________
35
© Gay Miller
The Letter (Answer Key)
Is the postmaster in the How long was the letter lost?
The letter is written in flashback the same one as
German. What does ‘an opa’ the postmaster at the The letter had been lost at least 20
on the envelope most likely beginning of the film? years. The boy at the beginning of the
mean? How do you know Include proof from the film film was old enough to write a letter
this? of your answer. but looked elementary age.
‘An opa’ means ‘to grandpa.’ The The postmaster appears to be Explain how you came to this
viewer can infer this because the same person. He is conclusion.
the contents of the letter are definitely older but has many of
At the end of the film the boy is grown
read during the film. The young the same features such as tall
up with a child of his own. This child
boy is writing a letter to his and lanky. He wears glasses.
appears to be about the same size the
grandfather.
boy was when he first went to the post
office to mail the letter. If the boy had
a child at age 20, this would mean the
letter had been lost approximately 20
years.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.4.1 Refer to details and examples
in a text when explaining what the text says explicitly
and when drawing inferences from the text.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.5.1 Quote accurately from a text
when explaining what the text says explicitly and when
drawing inferences from the text.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.6.1 Cite textual evidence to
Why do you think the Did the boy receive a bicycle
support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well postmaster decided to give from his grandpa when he
as inferences drawn from the text. the now grown-up man a was young? Explain why or
bike meant for a young boy? why not.
Answers will vary. The postman More than likely he did not
might be sentimental. He might receive a bicycle for Christmas
have remembered the boy the year he sent the letter. His
delivering the letter and felt grandfather had passed away.
guilt over it being lost. He might He was not on Earth to give his
have just wanted to do grandson the gift he promised
something kind for someone. him.
36
© Gay Miller
Santa’s Intern
Cause - The door to the sleigh opens.
Complete the cause and effect
chain.
Effect - ______________________________________________________ Effect - ______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________
Cause - The intern walks back to the sleigh, closes the

Cause - The house is a mess, the package is still on the
door, and leans over to pick up the package.
roof of the house, the reindeer looks on in disbelief, and
the intern sits on the snow pile with a frown on his face.
Effect - ______________________________________________________
Effect - _____________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________ Cause - The reindeer laughs and the intern bops him on
the nose.
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
Effect - ______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
Cause - The intern’s feet get tangled in the Christmas ______________________________________________________________
lights.
Cause - The intern slaps the wind vane spinning it

around in a circle until it flies up in the air and hits the
how a series of chapters, scenes, or intern on the head. The wind vane falls at the intern’s
stanzas fits together to provide the feet.
drama, or poem.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.6.5 Analyze Effect - ______________________________________________________
the development of the theme, ______________________________________________________________ 37
setting, or plot.
© Gay Miller
Santa’s Intern
(Answer Key) Cause - The door to the sleigh opens.
Complete the cause and effect
chain.
Effect - The reindeer brings the intern the package and grins. Effect - The intern slips out of the sleigh and slides down the
The intern places the package inside the house. rooftop.
Cause - The intern walks back to the sleigh, closes the

Cause - The house is a mess, the package is still on the
door, and leans over to pick up the package.
roof of the house, the reindeer looks on in disbelief, and
the intern sits on the snow pile with a frown on his face.
Effect - The door swings back open and hits the intern in the
stomach.
Effect - The intern goes flying through the house with the
Christmas lights acting like a bungee cord. The intern goes
though the window on the opposite side of the house and
pokes his eye with the carrot nose of a snowman in the
backyard before flying back through the house and landing Cause - The reindeer laughs and the intern bops him on
in a snow pile in the front yard. the nose.
Effect - The intern turns around quickly and pokes his eye
with the arrow of the wind vane. This causes the intern to fall
Cause - The intern’s feet get tangled in the Christmas and drop the package
lights.
Cause - The intern slaps the wind vane spinning it

around in a circle until it flies up in the air and hits the
how a series of chapters, scenes, or intern on the head. The wind vane falls at the intern’s
stanzas fits together to provide the feet.
drama, or poem.
scene, or stanza fits into the overall
Effect - The intern steps on the wind vane and goes skating
structure of a text and contributes to down the rooftop.
the development of the theme, 38
setting, or plot.
© Gay Miller
Teaching Narrative Writing with Animated Short Films .
© Gay Miller
Crow: The Legend
Each of these links go to the same video. Multiple links are included since I have no
control over individuals removing their video files from the Internet.
Crow: The Legend Youtube Youtube Youtube Youtube
Discussion Questions
• What is diversity? How does the film show diversity is a good thing?
Various animals with different abilities represent different people.
• How does Crow change from the beginning to the end of the film?
Crow changes from a self-centered individual who only cares about his talent to a creature who is willing to sacrifice what he
cherishes the most to help his friends.
• Which genre is the animated short? How can you tell?
Myth - The story explains something from nature. In this case, the story explains why crows are black and have raspy calls.
• What is ironic about the character The One Who Creates Everything by Thinking?
The most brilliant mind and creator of the universe is portrayed as a small bug-like creature.
Google Slides
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40
© Gay Miller
Crow: The Legend Characters
Crow Skunk The One Turtle Luna Owl Moth Sun

Who (The
Creates Moon)
Everything
by
Thinking
41
© Gay Miller
Crow: The Legend Characters
Crow Skunk The One Turtle Luna Owl Moth Sun

female Who (The Owl has
Creates Moon) vertigo.
brilliantly Shy, Everything slow moving brave gives advise
plumed bird admirer of by and talking goes to to both
most Crow Thinking upbeat wise – rescue Crow Crow and
handsome (becomes comes up even though Moth
giggly with a plan he must
beautiful around him) creator of tells Crow to
voice “break a to save the battle his
appeals to everything animals biggest
conceited - leg”
Crow’s “The Great obstacle (his
self- vanity to Spirit” attraction to
centered make him the Sun)
His friends go on the
convince journey to
him to go on bring
a dangerous warmth
journey to back to
help them. Earth
changed for
the better Evidently
learns that
she and
Crow are
more alike
than
different.
42
Crow: The Legend
List the sequence of events in “Crow: the Legend.” Use these details to write a summary.
__________________ __________________ __________________ __________________ __________________

__________________ __________________ __________________ __________________ __________________
__________________ __________________ __________________ __________________ __________________
__________________ __________________ __________________ __________________ __________________
__________________ __________________ __________________ __________________ __________________
__________________ __________________ __________________ __________________ __________________
__________________ __________________ __________________ __________________ __________________
__________________ __________________ __________________ __________________ __________________
__________________ __________________ __________________ __________________ __________________
__________________ __________________ __________________ __________________ __________________
__________________ __________________ __________________ __________________ __________________

__________________ __________________ __________________ __________________ __________________
__________________ __________________ __________________ __________________ __________________
__________________ __________________ __________________ __________________ __________________
__________________ __________________ __________________ __________________ __________________
__________________ __________________ __________________ __________________ __________________
__________________ __________________ __________________ __________________ __________________
__________________ __________________ __________________ __________________ __________________
__________________ __________________ __________________ __________________ __________________
__________________ __________________ __________________ __________________ __________________
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.5.2 Determine a theme of a story, drama, or poem from details in the text, including how characters in a story or drama respond to
challenges or how the speaker in a poem reflects upon a topic; summarize the text.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.6.2 Determine a theme or central idea of a text and how it is conveyed through particular details; provide a summary of the text distinct
from personal opinions or judgments. 43
© Gay Miller
Crow: The Legend
List the sequence of events in “Crow: the Legend.” Use these details to write a summary.
Moth and Skunk hear Owl tells Turtle, Moth, Back on Earth, Meanwhile Moth flies by Upset, Crow flies away from
Crow singing. Skunk is and Skunk that the Skunk tells the Sun who fusses at him for the other animals. Skunk
infatuated with Crow. solution to the cold others she thinks looking directly at him. As follows him. Crow apologizes
She slides down the weather is to send one something has Moth is fighting his to her for “being a jerk.”
bank and accidentally of them fly past Moon happened to Crow, attraction to Sun, Crow When Crow remembers the
releases a smell. She and Sun to the place so Moth decides to rescues Moth. Crow then words of The One Who
runs away where the stars live. fly up and check on sticks the burning stick in Creates Everything by
embarrassed because The animal must him. an asteroid and tells Moth Thinking who tells him “Let’s
she “can’t let him convince the creator about fire. The fire see what you’re really made
smell her like this.” to “unthink” the cold catches Crow’s wing on of,” it becomes summer. His
and make it warm fire. Crow fans his wing to black feathers have some
again. The animals put out the fire color in them. His smoke
convince Crow to go. accidentally putting it out damaged new voice is a
the burning stick. hoarse version of his
previous voice, but Skunk
likes his new sound.
A narrator tells the The narrator tells the Crow flies by Moon, Crow finds the palace Moth tells Crow he
viewer how there was viewer that one day Sun, Saturn, and sees of The One Who can’t give up. Skunk
a time when it was winter came changing himself in one of the Creates Everything by believes in him. Crow
always summer. Life the lives of the constellations. Thinking, the source flies close to the sun
for the animals was animals. of the universe. He to relight the stick.
peaceful and worry wakes her up by Even though he is
free. singing. One Who successful, his actions
Creates Everything by are not without
Thinking gives Crow a consequences. Crow’s
burning stick and beautiful feathers are
sends him back to blackened and his
Earth. As he flies voice is hoarse.
away, she says, “Let’s
see what you are
really made of.”
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.5.2 Determine a theme of a story, drama, or poem from details in the text, including how characters in a story or drama respond to
challenges or how the speaker in a poem reflects upon a topic; summarize the text.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.6.2 Determine a theme or central idea of a text and how it is conveyed through particular details; provide a summary of the text distinct
from personal opinions or judgments. 44
© Gay Miller
Crow: The Legend
Select two themes that are present in Crow: The Legend. After writing the theme give proof.
Theme
Proof Proof
_________________________________
_______________________________ _______________________________
_________________________________
_______________________________ _______________________________
_________________________________
_______________________________ _______________________________
_________________________________
_______________________________ _______________________________
_________________________________
_______________________________ _______________________________
_________________________________
_______________________________ _______________________________
_________________________________
_______________________________ _______________________________
_______________________________ _______________________________
Theme _______________________________
_______________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
Proof Proof
_________________________________
_______________________________ _______________________________
_________________________________
_______________________________ _______________________________
_________________________________
_______________________________ _______________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________
_______________________________ _______________________________
_______________________________ _______________________________
_______________________________ _______________________________
_______________________________ _______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.4.2 Determine a theme of a story, drama, or

poem from details in the text; summarize the text.
poem from details in the text, including how characters in a story or
drama respond to challenges or how the speaker in a poem reflects
upon a topic; summarize the text.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.6.2 Determine a theme or central idea of a text
and how it is conveyed through particular details; provide a summary
of the text distinct from personal opinions or judgments. 45
© Gay Miller
Crow: The Legend ~ Answer Key
Select two themes that are present in Crow: The Legend. After writing the theme give proof.
Theme Proof
Everyone is diverse with strengths and Proof
Owl is wise and comes up with a plan.
unique talents. Crow is the only one with the ability to
Skunk talks Crow into going on a
dangerous mission by appealing to his fly the great distance past the sun.
vanity.
Theme
Sometimes you must be brave and
selfless to help others. Proof
Crow goes on a dangerous mission into Proof
the heavens to save the other animals
Moth faces a big challenge (to fly past
from the endless winter. Crow learns
the sun that he is attracted to) to help
that his sacrifice was worth it. Losing
Crow who he feels is in danger.
his beautiful feathers and voice were a
small price to pay for helping his
friends.

poem from details in the text; summarize the text.
poem from details in the text, including how characters in a story or
drama respond to challenges or how the speaker in a poem reflects
upon a topic; summarize the text.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.6.2 Determine a theme or central idea of a text
and how it is conveyed through particular details; provide a summary 46
of the text distinct from personal opinions or judgments.
© Gay Miller
Comparing Two Short Films
Distracted by Emile Jacques [2:00]
Distracted Vimeo Vimeo Youtube Youtube Youtube
Dear Alice by Matt Cerini [3:40]
Dear Alice Vimeo Vimeo Youtube Youtube
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47
© Gay Miller
Distracted versus Dear Alice What is the parent
doing?
Compare the similarities in the two
_______________
animated short films.
Who are the main _______________
characters? _______________ What is the
_______________ _______________ conflict?
_______________ _______________ _______________
_______________ _______________ _______________
_______________ _______________
_______________
_______________
_______________
_______________ _______________
_______________ _______________
Dear Alice
Through whose How does the small
perspective is the girl react to the
What is the parent situation?
story told?
doing?
_______________ _______________
_______________ _______________
_______________
Who are the main _______________ What is the final
_______________ _______________
characters? _______________ What is the result?
_______________ _______________
_______________ _______________ conflict?
_______________ _______________ _______________
_______________ _______________ _______________ _______________ _______________
_______________
_______________ _______________ _______________
_______________ _______________
_______________ _______________
_______________
_______________ _______________
_______________
_______________ _______________ _______________
_______________ _______________
Distracted
Through whose How does the small
perspective is the girl react to the
story told? situation? CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.4.6 Compare and contrast the
point of view from which different stories are
_______________ _______________ narrated, including the difference between first- and
_______________ _______________ third-person narrations.
_______________ What is the final _______________ CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.5.6 Describe how a narrator's
_______________ result? _______________ or speaker's point of view influences how events are
described.
_______________ _______________ _______________
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.6.6 Explain how an author
_______________ _______________ _______________ develops the point of view of the narrator or speaker
_______________ in a text.
_______________
_______________
_______________ 48
© Gay Miller
Distracted versus Dear Alice
What is the
Compare the similarities in the two parent doing?
animated short films. Alice is with her
mother on a public
Who are the main bus. Her mother is What is the
characters? busy talking on the conflict?
Alice, a young girl phone. Alice wants the
Alice’s mother attention of her
A Passenger on the mother, but her
Bus mother is too busy
to give it to her.
Dear Alice
Through whose How does the
What is the perspective is small girl react
parent doing? the story told? to the situation?
The father is The story is told What is the final Alice gives her
constantly on the through the result? drawing to the boy
phone. He does not perspective of a on the bus when
What is the The boy on the bus
Who are the main talk but instead passenger on the her mother won’t
characters? conflict? shows kindness
looks at different bus. look at it.
The girl tries to get when he doesn’t
A Father screens and types. get off at his bus
the attention of her
father by showing stop and returns
His Daughter him good things Alice’s drawing.
she has done. She adds the boy
to her drawing.
Distracted
How does the
Through whose
small girl react
perspective is CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.4.6 Compare and contrast the
to the situation? point of view from which different stories are
the story told?
The small girl is narrated, including the difference between first- and
The story is told What is the final third-person narrations.
sad. Her face is
through the result? CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.5.6 Describe how a narrator's
downcast and she or speaker's point of view influences how events are
daughter’s
The girl grows up longs for her described.
perspective.
without the father’s attention. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.6.6 Explain how an author
attention of her develops the point of view of the narrator or speaker
in a text.
father. When she is
old enough, she
packs her bags to
49
leave home.
© Gay Miller
Complete the Venn Diagram to show how Distracted versus Dear Alice are alike and different.
Distracted Alike Dear Alice

______________________________________ __________________________________
__________________________
______________________________________ __________________________________
________________________________ ______________________________________ __________________________________
___________________________________ ______________________________________ __________________________________
___________________________________ ______________________________________ __________________________________
___________________________________ ______________________________________ __________________________________
___________________________________ ______________________________________ __________________________________
___________________________________ ______________________________________ __________________________________
___________________________________ ______________________________________ __________________________________
___________________________________ ______________________________________ __________________________________
___________________________________ ______________________________________ __________________________________
___________________________________ ______________________________________ __________________________________
___________________________________ ______________________________________ __________________________________
___________________________________ ______________________________________ __________________________________
___________________________________ ______________________________________ __________________________________
___________________________________ ______________________________________ __________________________________
___________________________________ ______________________________________ __________________________________
___________________________________ ______________________________________ __________________________________
___________________________________ ______________________________________ __________________________________
___________________________________ ______________________________________ __________________________________
___________________________________ ____________________________________ __________________________________
_________________________________ _________________________________
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.4.9 Compare and contrast the treatment of similar themes and topics (e.g., opposition of good and evil) and patterns
© Gay Miller
of events (e.g., the quest) in stories, myths, and traditional literature from different cultures.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.5.9 Compare and contrast stories in the same genre (e.g., mysteries and adventure stories) on their approaches to
similar themes and topics.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.6.9 Compare and contrast texts in different forms or genres (e.g., stories and poems; historical novels and fantasy
stories) in terms of their approaches to similar themes and topics. 50
Complete the Venn Diagram to show how Distracted versus Dear Alice are alike and different.
Distracted Alike Dear Alice
The father is constantly distracted by his The young girls look to be about The mother is talking on the phone. Her
cell phone. The attention he gives his the same age at the beginning of conversation appears to be business
phone does not appear to be work the films. related.
related.
In both stories, a parent does not The story takes place over a few minutes
The story takes place over years as the give his/her daughter the attention as Alice and her mother ride the bus.
girl grows up without the attention of her she needs.
father. Alice tries to show a drawing to her
Both girls try to show her parent a mother.
The girl repeatedly tries to get her drawing.
father’s attention by showing him things Alice gives her attention to a passenger
about her life: her stuffed toy, an A+ on a on the bus. In return, he shows kindness
math assignment, and a drawing. by returning her drawing. Alice draws
herself with the boy. Both look happy in
Time is shown passing by the camera the drawing.
angle swirling around the distracted
father. The father has a beard. A Alice waves as the boy gets off the bus.
photograph on the wall shows an older The mother is clueless during the entire
girl. After all this time, the father is still interaction.
on his cell phone.
The mother’s face is not shown. Her
The father finally looks up from his phone feelings are never expressed.
when his daughter is grown up and
leaving home.
His feelings are shown by him dropping

the phone and hunching over.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.4.9 Compare and contrast the treatment of similar themes and topics (e.g., opposition of good and evil) and patterns
© Gay Miller
of events (e.g., the quest) in stories, myths, and traditional literature from different cultures.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.5.9 Compare and contrast stories in the same genre (e.g., mysteries and adventure stories) on their approaches to
similar themes and topics.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.6.9 Compare and contrast texts in different forms or genres (e.g., stories and poems; historical novels and fantasy
stories) in terms of their approaches to similar themes and topics. 51
On the Same Page
On the Same Page Vimeo Youtube Youtube Dailymotion Youtube
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52
© Gay Miller
On the Same Page
Tell what problem the man and lady encounter as they walk by each newspaper section in the fantasy city. Then tell the solution that took
place over the course of the animated short.
Weather
Problem
Newspaper
Section
Solution
_______________________________________ _________________________
_______________________________________ _________________________
_______________________________________ _________________________
_______________________________________ _________________________
Entertainment
Solution
Newspaper Section
Problem
________________________________________ _________________________
________________________________________ _________________________
________________________________________ _________________________
________________________________________ _________________________
__ _
Financial
Solution
Problem
Newspaper Section
________________________________________ _________________________
________________________________________ _________________________
________________________________________ _________________________
________________________________________ ________________________
__
Sports
Problem
Solution
Newspaper Section
________________________________________ ________________________
________________________________________ ________________________
________________________________________ ________________________
________________________________________ ________________________
___
Obituaries
Problem
Solution
Newspaper Section
________________________________________ ________________________
________________________________________ ________________________
________________________________________ ________________________
________________________________________ ________________________
________________________________________ ___
© Gay Miller 53
On the Same Page
Tell what problem the man and lady encounter as they walk by each newspaper section in the fantasy city. Then tell the solution that took
place over the course of the animated short.
Weather The “Weather” building contains windows that The “Weather” building shows a
Problem
Newspaper
Section
Solution
reflect weather predictions: sunny, rain, a spring week of sunshine.
day, wind, and storms. The days turn to
hurricane-like weather by the end of the week.
Entertainment The windows in the “Entertainment” section turn The “Entertainment” building
Solution
Newspaper Section
Problem
into movie billboards with star ratings underneath. shows only 5 star movies.
The movies have fun names with just slight
variations of famous old movies such as Verticals
for Vertigo. The movie posters show frightening
pictures with the man and lady in the leading
roles.
Financial When the couple reach the financial section, the The “Finance” section shows a
Solution
Problem
Newspaper Section
girl removes two 4’s off the “sales add” and uses rise in the economy.
them as a glider to sail across the steeply dipping
line graph indicating an economical decline. The
boy skateboards down the graph.
Sports In the “Sports” section, the man races across a The “Sports” section features a
Problem
Solution
Newspaper Section
stadium picking up pages of newsprint as he goes. picture of the reporter running

across the field with the
caption “Rookie becomes
MVP.”
Obituaries Next the man sees the “Obituaries” section which The man removes the letter A
Problem
Solution
Newspaper Section
looks menacing and foggy. He stops with a grim from the word obituaries. He
expression on his face. The girl races forward climbs onto the A and flies
trying to catch a piece of newsprint. She comes to down to rescue the girl. They
the end of the path and falls. fly back over the city to “The
Daily News” building.
© Gay Miller 54
On the Same Page
Can you figure out the titles of these movies featured in the animated short?
Verticals
The Chaos Carol
Dancin’ in the Storm
The Seven Year Search
Queen Quarrel
Psych
Newsopolis
Rebel Without a Clause
Newspaperman
The Secret Life of Frank’s Report
What techniques were used in changing the titles?
1._____________________________________________________________________________________________________
2. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________
3. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________
4. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Create a made-up movie title by altering the title of a real movie using one or more of these techniques.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
55
On the Same Page
Can you figure out the titles of these movies featured in the animated short?
Verticals •Vertigo
The Chaos Carol •The Christmas Carol
Dancin’ in the Storm •Singing in the Rain
The Seven Year Search •The Seven Year Itch
Queen Quarrel •King Kong
Psych •Psycho
Newsopolis •Metropolis
Rebel Without a Clause •Rebel without a Cause
Newspaperman •??
The Secret Life of Frank’s Report •The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
What techniques were used in changing the titles?

1. adding and deleting letters – Psycho  Psych; Cause Clause
2. alliterations kept – Christmas  Chaos; Queen Quarrel  King Kong
3. synonyms /similar meanings – Rain  Storm
4. similar sounding words – Vertigo  Verticals
Create a made-up title using one or more of these techniques.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
56
Broken: Rock, Scissors, Paper
Rock, Paper, Scissors Vimeo Youtube Youtube Dailymotion Youtube
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57
© Gay Miller
Explain how Rock, Scissors, and Paper
Broken: Rock, Scissors, Paper are portrayed in the animated short.
Rock
In the boxes, explain the rules to Rock, Scissors, Paper Game.
Paper
Scissors
scissors paper
Why do Rock’s hands crumble when he
touches Paper?
rock
Why is Rock able to best Scissors?
Why is Paper left unharmed?
© Gay Miller 58
Explain how Rock, Paper, and Scissors
Broken: Rock, Scissors, Paper are portrayed in the animated short.
Rock
In the boxes, explain the rules to Rock, Scissors, Paper Game.
Rock is a stone creature. He is reminiscent of
the superhero Hulk.
Paper
Scissors cuts paper.
Paper is a beautiful fairy-like girl. She is small
Scissors beats paper. and delicate.
Scissors
Scissors is an evil-looking man with scissor

blades for arms. Scissors goes through the
scissors paper forest cutting down all that is beautiful. He
resembles Edward Scissorhands.
Why do Rock’s hands crumble when he touches

Paper?
Rock crushes Paper beats Rock in the game, so when Paper

scissors. rock Paper covers rock. Creature touches Rock Creature, she hurts
him.
Paper beats rock.
Rocks beats scissors. Why is Rock able to best Scissors?
In the Rock, Scissors, Paper Game; Rock

crushes Scissors, therefore Rock Creature is
able to beat Scissors Creature in a fight.
Why is Paper left unharmed?
Paper can only be bested by Scissors, and

Rock crushes him in a fight before he has the
opportunity to reach Paper. Rock crumbles to
pieces when he carries Paper to safety leaving
© Gay Miller Paper all alone.
59
List character traits of Rock, Paper, and Scissors.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.4.3 Describe in depth a character, setting, or event in a story or drama, drawing on specific details in the text (e.g., a character’s
thoughts, words, or actions).
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.5.3 Compare and contrast two or more characters, settings, or events in a story or drama, drawing on specific details in the text
(e.g., how characters interact).
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.6.3 Describe how a particular story’s or drama’s plot unfolds in a series of episodes as well as how the characters respond or
change as the plot moves toward a resolution.
© Gay Miller
List character traits of Rock, Paper, and Scissors.
Scissors is the villain in the film. He

Paper is a beautiful fairy-like creature.
Rock resembles an ape in shape and has sharp pointed facial features and
She floats through the air and is able
the way he walks. When he sees Paper, blades for arms. His eyes have a
to make flowers bloom with a wave of
he is immediately smitten with her. piercing glow that make him appear
her arms.
evil.
When Rock sees Scissors approaching

Paper he quickly comes to her rescue. Scissors slashes the beautiful trees
Paper is brave. She tries to fight
Rock slays Scissors. He perishes and flowers to pieces as he moves
Scissors but he quickly knocks her
because he carries Paper to a beautiful through the forest for no reason other
away.
meadow where the sun can heal her than to be destructive.
slashed skin.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.4.3 Describe in depth a character, setting, or event in a story or drama, drawing on specific details in the text (e.g., a character’s
thoughts, words, or actions).
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.5.3 Compare and contrast two or more characters, settings, or events in a story or drama, drawing on specific details in the text
(e.g., how characters interact).
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.6.3 Describe how a particular story’s or drama’s plot unfolds in a series of episodes as well as how the characters respond or
change as the plot moves toward a resolution.
© Gay Miller
The Catch
The Catch Vimeo Vimeo Youtube Youtube
Google Slides
***** YOU MUST MAKE A COPY OF This FILE

TO YOUR GOOGLE DRIVE BEFORE IT IS
EDITABLE. *****
62
© Gay Miller
The Catch
Fill in each solution in the problem and solution chain. Use this to summarize the film.
Solution/Effect
PROBLEM ~ A young boy is sent

out to get food for his village.
Solution/Effect
PROBLEM ~ The boy hears the

cry of a fox. When he goes to
investigate, the boy sees that the
fox has tangled its hind leg in a
vine.
Solution/Effect
PROBLEM ~ The fox immediately

grabs the small fish the boy has
caught and takes off running.
Effect
effects
© Gay Miller
The Catch
Fill in each solution in the problem and solution chain. Use this to summarize the film.
Solution/Effect
PROBLEM ~ A young boy is sent The boy goes fishing. He fishes for a while only
out to get food for his village. catching one very small fish.
Solution/Effect
PROBLEM ~ The boy hears the

The boy cuts the vine freeing the fox. cry of a fox. When he goes to
investigate, the boy sees that the
fox has tangled its hind leg in a
vine.
Solution/Effect
The boy follows the fox. First he must crawl under thorny vines. Then
PROBLEM ~ The fox immediately
the fox climbs in a hollowed out log causing the boy some trouble. Next
grabs the small fish the boy has
the fox leads the boy up a steep rock cliff. Once the boy reaches the top
caught and takes off running.
of the cliff, he sees a large lake full of big fish.
Effect
Although the fox first appears as if he is stealing the one small fish from the boy, he effects
is really only trying to help the boy by leading him to a good fishing location. The
boy catches a large fish which he takes back to his village and a smaller fish which
he gives to the fox. At the end of the film the fox disintegrates giving the viewer the
feeling that he was a magical spirit sent to help the boy find food for the villagers.
© Gay Miller
The Catch
List two themes that are present in The Catch. Use the charts to show proof of your theme.
After completing the chart select one of the two themes to explain in paragraph form.
Theme #1
Proof Proof
Proof Proof
Theme #2
Proof Proof
© Gay Miller
The Catch
List two themes that are present in The Catch. Use the charts to show proof of your theme.
After completing the chart select one of the two themes to explain in paragraph form.
Theme #1 – A kindness is never wasted.

Proof Proof
Proof Proof
In the end of the film, the fox disintegrates into small

This story is very similar to the Lion and the Mouse fable
particles. This leads the viewer to believe he is either a
in the moral it teaches. The boy untangles the fox and in
magical creature who saw a problem and went to help or
return the fox helps the boy by leading him to a location
a higher power who saw the problem and sent the fox on
where many large fish can be caught.
a mission to help the villagers who needed food.
Theme #2 – Self-initiative is important.
Proof Proof
The young boy works hard to catch fish for his people.
By showing the boy where to find fish in place of just
Even though he is not having luck, he continues to fish.
giving food to the villagers, the boy has the means to
When his small catch is taken by the fox, the boy goes to
continue to help his people in the future. He can return to
great lengths to get it back by chasing the fox though
the lake/sea to fish in the future.
several dangerous locations.
© Gay Miller
Teaching Informative Writing with Animated Short Films .
© Gay Miller
THE BOX
The Box [6:48]

Compare with the novel Refugee.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwCtWfwYlkw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=duRnRIqZnDA
https://vimeo.com/285315787
Google Slides
***** YOU MUST MAKE A COPY OF This

FILE TO YOUR GOOGLE DRIVE BEFORE
IT IS EDITABLE. *****
68
© Gay Miller
The Box
Complete the chart to explain the importance of the setting of The Box.
Locations Where the Story Takes Place Importance of the Setting
What is Taking Place at This Location Mood - Atmosphere of the Setting
© Gay Miller
The Box
Complete the chart to explain the importance of the setting of The Box.
Locations Where the Story Takes Place Importance of the Setting
The end of the film lists these disturbing facts:
The story takes place in war-torn present-day Syria. 8.4 million children – more than 80 percent of Syria’s child
population – have been directly affected by the brutal and
violent conflict in Syria.
6.1 million children need education support.
More than 6 million children have been displaced from their

homes.
More than 16,600 unaccompanied and separated children

have crossed Syria’s borders.
What is Taking Place at This Location Mood - Atmosphere of the Setting
A civil war is taking place between the Ba'athist Syrian Arab The film begins in a light-hearted way with a young child happily
Republic led by President Bashar al-Assad and various playing with a cardboard box. The mood swiftly changes when war
domestic and foreign forces opposing the Syrian comes close. Once the child’s home is bombed, the boy is alone
government. except for his pet cat. The box turns into shelter in a refugee
camp. The refugee camp flashes through scary scenes. The people
In 2000, al-Assad became president. He rules the country look sad. Children are eating leaves, taking baths in tubs, and
like a dictator. As the people in Syria became unhappy with bombs explode nearby.
his power, protests demanding a democratic government
rule the country started. This has caused a chain reaction of During a wind storm, the box blows away causing the boy to make
al-Assad killing people who speak against him causing more a mad dash for his shelter. He walks endless hours carrying the
and more citizens to fight against al-Assad. box. The boy imagines his parents are near but soon realizes they
are just figments of his imagination.
More than 250,000 people have died and millions have fled
their homes. The film ends with the hope that the boy will sail in his cardboard
boat to safety. The mood is terribly sad as the boy’s pet cat
refuses to get into the boat with him.
© Gay Miller
Comparing The Box to Mahmoud’s story from Refugee
Question The Box Mahmoud in Refugee
Why do the boys
leave home?
What is the
journey to the
coast like?
What is the boat

ride like?
© Gay Miller 71
Comparing The Box to Mahmoud’s story from Refugee
Question The Box Mahmoud in Refugee
Why do the boys The boy plays happily in his home. The side wall of Mahmoud’s apartment building is blown away. He takes
leave home? He builds a playhouse out of a Waleed, his younger brother, and Hana, his baby sister, out of the building
cardboard box and climbs inside while their mother gathers up needed possessions. They meet their father
the comforting structure with his in the street. He tells them it is time to go to Germany.
pet cat. During the night, the
house is bombed.
What is the The film skips to the boy and his The group gets into their car and heads toward Turkey. They are stopped
journey to the cat in a refugee camp. The boy along the road by four soldiers waving rifles. The soldiers get into the car
coast like? leaves the box and sees disturbing and direct the way they travel saying it is the only safe direction. The car is
images of struggling people attacked by bullet fire. Mahmoud’s family gets out just in time. The
around the camp. Bombs explode Bisharas then walk with hundreds of other refugees north toward Turkey.
in a nearby field. During a The family gets a ride from the refugee camp to the Mediterranean Sea.
windstorm, the box blows away.
The boy races to catch it. He then
walks endless hours carrying the
box to the coast.
What is the boat The boy reaches the coast with his Finally when hope is just about lost, Mahmoud’s family receives a call that
ride like? cardboard box. He refolds the box the boat is ready. The boat turns out to be an overloaded raft. The raft hits
in the same fashion that you fold a rocks and everyone is dumped in the Mediterranean Sea. After trying to
piece of paper into a toy boat. The stay afloat, another raft comes by. Mom and Mahmoud grabbed on. The
boy’s pet cat refuses to get into people on board will not let them climb in because they are already
the cardboard boat. The film ends overloaded. Mahmoud asks if they would take his baby sister. They do.
with the boat sailing away. Mahmoud receives a life jacket from a dead man and places it on Mom. The
Greek Coast Guard picks up Mom and Mahmoud. They are reunited with
Dad and Waleed. They are taken to a refugee camp in Lebos. There they
are able to get a ferry to Athens.
© Gay Miller 72
One Small Step
One Small Step [7:40]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWd4mzGqQYo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZC-peFOwrs
https://www.msn.com/en-us/movies/news/cgi-animated-short-film-one-
small-step-by-taiko-studios-cgmeetup/vi-BBTs6Ft
Google Slides
***** YOU MUST MAKE A COPY OF This

FILE TO YOUR GOOGLE DRIVE BEFORE
IT IS EDITABLE. *****
73
© Gay Miller
One Small Step
In each of the ovals is an event that changed Luna’s life. Explain how Luna has changed as she dealt
with each of these events.
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
Luna watches a ____________________________________________________________________
rocket launching into
____________________________________________________________________
space on television.
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
Luna goes to _______________________________________________________________

college. _______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
Luna finds the astronaut ____________________________________________________________________
boots she received on her ____________________________________________________________________
sixth birthday after her ____________________________________________________________________
father has passed away.
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
© Gay Miller
One Small Step
In each of the ovals is an event that changed Luna’s life. Explain how Luna has changed as she dealt
with each of these events.
From the moment she sees the launching of a rocket, Luna dreams of becoming an
Luna watches a astronaut. Shortly after she watches the event, on Luna's 6th birthday, her father
rocket launching into
gives Luna a special pair of space boots. Luna uses her imagination to turn a simple
space on television.
box into a rocket and flies to the moon with her father.
Luna goes to Luna finds the work difficult. She doesn’t put enough effort into her work and is
college. unsuccessful, making F’s on tests and not finishing track meets.
Luna finds the astronaut

Finding the boots changes everything for Luna. She remembers her dreams. Luna
boots she received on her
sixth birthday after her puts a lot of effort into her schoolwork and track. She is rewarded for her hard work
father has passed away. by finally achieving her dream of becoming an astronaut and going to the moon.
© Gay Miller
One Small Step
What is the mood in during each section listed? Write a word or phrase that describes the
mood in the first box and then explain how this mood was illustrated/created in the film.
•_____________________________________________________________________
Mood
_____________________________________________________________________
Luna’s 6th Birthday
_____________________________________________________________________
_________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_________________________________
Mood •_____________________________________________________________________
Luna Goes to College to Become an _____________________________________________________________________
Astronaut _____________________________________________________________________
_________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________
•_____________________________________________________________________
Mood
_____________________________________________________________________
Luna’s Father Passes Away
_____________________________________________________________________
_________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_________________________________
Mood •_____________________________________________________________________
Luna Finds a Box of Her Old Shoes _____________________________________________________________________
including the Astronaut Boots
_____________________________________________________________________
_________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Mood •_____________________________________________________________________
Luna goes to the Moon _____________________________________________________________________
_________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________
_________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
© Gay Miller
One Small Step
What is the mood in during each section listed? Write a word or phrase that describes the
mood in the first box and then explain how this mood was illustrated/created in the film.
•When Luna opens her birthday gift, her eyes are wide with delight. She puts them on
Mood and goes on an imaginary mission to the moon. Although the film has no words,
Luna’s giggles are dubbed over the playful music. During Luna’s imaginary trip to the
Luna’s 6th Birthday
moon, the background changes from realistic to decorative. For example, the stars
Extremely Happy hang from strings and look like the ones in Luna’s bedroom. Luna flies through a
cardboard Saturn-looking planet.
Mood •Everything seems to go wrong for Luna. She breaks her flip-flops. Luna makes an F on
her test. [Her emotions are shown by her head hitting the desk.] During track practice,
Luna Goes to College to Become an Luna falls and the others race past her. Luna returns home. [She drops and then kicks
Astronaut her book bag showing anger. She flops in the chair next to her dad. Her shoulders sag
and she pouts.] Luna applies to the Astronaut Candidate Program and she is turned
Depressed down. [She drops the letter and walks away.]
•The weather is dark and rainy when Luna finds her father not sitting in his usual spot
Mood in the kitchen. She places incense on his grave on a dark windy day. Luna appears
Luna’s Father Passes Away heart broken. She cries herself to sleep.
Sad – Heart Broken
Mood •The sun finally shines. Luna hangs up the astronaut poster in her room. She cuts her
hair. Luna studies late into the night. Things change as she begins to do well in school
Luna Finds a Box of Her Old Shoes and track. Luna graduates from school. Luna is finally accepted into the Astronaut
including the Astronaut Boots Candidate Program.
Determined
Mood •As Luna steps onto the moon, she has a flashback of her father. This is a sweet yet
sad moment for Luna in that she has reached the goal she worked so hard to achieve,
Luna goes to the Moon but her father is not with her to see it.
Joyous in a Sad Way
© Gay Miller
Coin Operated
Coin Operated [5:14]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5L4DQfVIcdg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VTlg1wNKpk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5L4DQfVIcdg
Google Slides
***** YOU MUST MAKE A COPY OF

This FILE TO YOUR GOOGLE DRIVE
BEFORE IT IS EDITABLE. *****
78
© Gay Miller
Coin Operated
Explain what course of action you would take if you were in the boy’s situation in Coin Operated. Why
would this be a more effective course than the course that the boy chose?
The Boy's Actions Your Actions

___________________________________________________ __________________________________________________
___________________________________________________ __________________________________________________
___________________________________________________ __________________________________________________
___________________________________________________ __________________________________________________
___________________________________________________ __________________________________________________
___________________________________________________ __________________________________________________
___________________________________________________ __________________________________________________
___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________
© Gay Miller
Coin Operated
Explain what course of action you would take if you were in the boy’s situation in Coin Operated. Why
would this be a more effective course than the course that the boy chose?
The Boy's Actions Your Actions

__________________________________________________
A young boy wearing an astronaut’s helmet and jet pack on his __________________________________________________
back plays with his toy rocket ship as he and his mother walk __________________________________________________
down the street. The boy spots a coin operated rocket ship ride
in front of the grocery store. The boy’s eyes widen with __________________________________________________
anticipation. His mother tries to pull him away, but the boy pulls __________________________________________________
out his own nickel, and his mom relents.
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
The boy imagines a ride to the moon. Instead he is rocked back ___________________________________________________
and forth. The boy figures he didn’t put enough money in the ___________________________________________________
machine. The boy sees an ad for lemons and gets an idea. He
builds a lemonade stand. The film shows 70 years going by as ___________________________________________________
the boy becomes a man and continues to run the successful ___________________________________________________
lemonade stand.
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
One day the old man looks over at his bag of nickels that is as ___________________________________________________
tall as he is and decides he has enough for the trip. The man ___________________________________________________
closes the lemonade stand and hauls the bag of coins on his
wagon to the coin operated rocket ride. He pours the coins into ___________________________________________________
the money slot, puts on his helmet, and pushes the ignition ___________________________________________________
button. At first the rocket doesn’t work. Finally two more coins
fall into the slot, and the rocket takes off into space. The film ___________________________________________________
ends with a close-up of the old man looking as he did as a young ___________________________________________________
boy. After the credits, the coin operated rocket ride stand is
shown without the rocket. ___________________________________________________
© Gay Miller
Coin Operated and One Small Step
Explain how Coin Operated and One Small Step are alike.
Coin Operated One Small Step
© Gay Miller
Coin Operated and One Small Step
Explain how Coin Operated and One Small Step are alike.
Coin Operated One Small Step
A young girl dreams of flying to the moon.

A young boy dreams of flying to the moon.
Her grandfather encourages this dream. He

His mother allows him to ride the coin operated
gives the girl moon shoes for her sixth birthday
rocket ride when he shows that he will use his
and rides in a cardboard box rocket with her.
own money.
The boy works hard to make money by building The girl works extremely hard to do well in
a lemonade stand and selling lemonade for school and track so that she will be accepted in
years and years to have enough to pay for the aviation school.
ride.
The boy flies to the moon in the coin operated The girl lands on the moon in a real rocket.
rocket.
While the film is fiction, it contains fantasy The film is a fictional one, but the events could
elements. A toy rocket could not travel into really take place.
space.
© Gay Miller
Miyako and The Monster Under My Bed
Miyako [2:00]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F96dh3NbTj0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=AVh_UsYwBeI
https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x6ln39x
The Monster Under My Bed [2:36]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TT0hKSdxQ6k
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQrp_6u31qY
Google Slides
***** YOU MUST MAKE A COPY OF This FILE TO YOUR GOOGLE DRIVE BEFORE IT IS EDITABLE. *****
83
© Gay Miller
Summarize each animated short film.
Miyako Summary The Monster Under My Bed Summary
84
© Gay Miller
Summarize each animated short film.
Miyako Summary The Monster Under My Bed Summary

A young Japanese girl sleeps beside her wooden A young girl awakens and screams. Her father
doll. During the night, the doll awakens suddenly rushes into her room. The girl points under her
alert. The doll leans over the side of the bed and bed. The father gets down and searches. He finds
spots a large black shadow monster. The doll pulls a toy jester and shows it to the girl. The father
out her sword to attack. She swings it at the leaves the room.
monster, cutting it in two, but the monster The girl tries to go back to sleep, but she hears
doesn't die. Its two halves just slither away. noises coming from under the bed. The girl opens
Two shadow monsters return on the wall over a bag of cookies, throws one on the floor, and
Miyako's bed. They merge into one large monster. watches to see what will happen.
The wooden doll has a plan. She climbs the A hand reaches out and takes the cookie. The girl
dresser by climbing on the drawer pulls and using drops a second cookie. The hand reaches out and
her sword as a pick. The doll then turns on the takes the cookie. The hand sticks out from under
lamp. Now her shadow is larger than life and the bed with the palm up as if asking for more
appears next to the shadow monster. With a cookies. The girls drops a third cookie in the
slash, the doll is able to slay the monster. The doll monster’s hand.
turns off the lamp, puts away her sword, and The girl then holds up a cookie to entice the
returns to bed to keep watch over Miyako. monster to come out from under the bed. He
does. The girl feeds the monster cookies. The
monster nuzzles the girl’s head with his head as a
way of saying thank you.
The monster then wants to play ball. The noise
brings Dad back into the girl’s room. The monster
is safely hidden away when Dad opens the door.
He tells his daughter to get in bed. The girl climbs
into the bed and falls asleep holding the
monster’s hand.
85
© Gay Miller
Compare the two animated shorts. How are they alike and different?
Miyako Both The Monster Under My Bed
_____________________________
___________________________________________ _____________________________
_____________________________
___________________________________________ _____________________________
_____________________________
___________________________________________ _____________________________
_____________________________
___________________________________________ _____________________________
_____________________________
___________________________________________ _____________________________
_____________________________
___________________________________________ _____________________________
_____________________________
___________________________________________ _____________________________
_____________________________
___________________________________________ _____________________________
_____________________________
___________________________________________ _____________________________
_____________________________
___________________________________________ _____________________________
_____________________________
___________________________________________ _____________________________
_____________________________
___________________________________________ _____________________________
_____________________________
___________________________________________ _____________________________
_____________________________
___________________________________________ _____________________________
_____________________________
___________________________________________ _____________________________
_____________________________
___________________________________________ _____________________________
_____________________________
___________________________________________ _____________________________
_____________________________
___________________________________________ _____________________________
_____________________________
___________________________________________ _____________________________
_____________________________
___________________________________________ _____________________________
_____________________________
___________________________________________ _____________________________
_____________________________
___________________________________________ _____________________________
_____________________________
___________________________________________ _____________________________
_____________________________
_______________________________________ _____________________________
_____________________________
______________________________________ ___________________________
__________________________
______________________
© Gay Miller
Compare the two animated shorts. How are they alike and different?
Miyako Summary Both The Monster Under My Bed

Summary
CGI 3D Animated Short Both are “silent” films with no talking. Both have
exclamation sounds that add to the telling of the 2D Animated Short
Miyako uses music to enhance the stories.
story. The Monster Under My Bed uses a
Both stories tell of young girls with monsters under rumbling noise to enhance the story.
Miyako’s monster is scary. their beds.
The young girl’s monster is friendly.
Miyako’s monster is a black shadow Both have someone who helps the young girl. In At one point monster affectionately
figure that slithers around the room. Miyako, the wooden doll rescues Miyako. Dad comes nuzzles the young girl.
to the other girl’s rescue.
Miyako’s monster is most likely a The girl’s monster is a large 3-D
figment of her imagination. -- After Both have toy dolls. A wooden doll fights the monster creature that eats cookies and plays
the light is turned off by the doll, the in Miyako. In The Monster Under My Bed, Dad finds a ball.
camera turns toward a corkboard on toy doll, a jester under the bed.
the wall where the young girl’s The girl is awake throughout the film
drawings are posted. The young girl and plays games with the monster.
has drawn a monster that resembles
the shadow monster. At the end of
the credits, the young girl wakes up.
Her eyes turn black. {pretty creepy}
Miyako sleeps through the battle.
© Gay Miller
Terms of Use
• All rights reserved by Gay Miller.
• This purchase includes a limited license for single classroom use only. You
may utilize it for each student you serve.
• You may not upload this product to the Internet or store it in any public
retrieval service outside the project itself.
• No part of the product may be altered for resell or distribution.
• If you have any questions feel free to contact me at

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Teaching

Created by Gay Miller 1

Click the covers to go to the individual products.

Lonely Island Youtube Youtube

Why is there a tombstone on the

List ways the viewer knows the

Why is there a tombstone on the

Somebody Wanted But So

_______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________

Write a “Somebody Wanted But So Statement.”

Somebody Wanted But So

Write a “Somebody Wanted But So Statement.”

Lifted Vimeo Youtube Daily Motion

Detail #3 __________________________ Detail #5

__________________________________ __________________________ __________________________________

Detail #3 The young alien turns off the Detail #5

A young alien inside a flying

Oktapodi Vimeo Youtube Vimeo

Who is telling the _________________________________________________

How does the _________________________________________________

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.4.6 Compare •________________________________________________

•The story follows the octopus.

_________________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________

_________________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________

_________________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________

_________________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________

_________________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________

•List two reasons the character with glasses is

nicknamed White Geri.

•List two reasons the character with glasses is

nicknamed White Geri.

Describe Geri’s mental state.

Feast Vimeo Vimeo Daily Motion

Effect - ______________________________________________________ Effect - ______________________________________________________

Cause - _____________________________________ Cause - _____________________________________

Effect - ______________________________________________________ Effect - ______________________________________________________

Cause - _____________________________________ Cause - _____________________________________

Effect - ______________________________________________________ Effect - ______________________________________________________

Cause – James begins feeding the puppy that he names

Effect - ______________________________________________________ Effect - ______________________________________________________

Effect – Winston lives a happy life. His owner James is happy

Cause – James begins feeding the puppy that he names

Effect – Winston grabs a piece of parsley, which he knows

Mr. Lessmore walks through

The Fantastic Flying Books of Dorothy battles the Wicked

Taking the Plunge Vimeo Youtube Daily Motion Youtube

Link to the Google Slides

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.4.1 Refer to details and examples

Effect - ______________________________________________________ Effect - ______________________________________________________

Cause - The intern walks back to the sleigh, closes the

Cause - The intern slaps the wind vane spinning it

Cause - The intern walks back to the sleigh, closes the

Cause - The intern slaps the wind vane spinning it

Crow: The Legend Youtube Youtube Youtube Youtube

Various animals with different abilities represent different people.

• Which genre is the animated short? How can you tell?

***** YOU MUST MAKE A COPY OF This FILE TO YOUR

Click here to go to Google Drive.

Crow Skunk The One Turtle Luna Owl Moth Sun

Crow Skunk The One Turtle Luna Owl Moth Sun

__________________ __________________ __________________ __________________ __________________

__________________ __________________ __________________ __________________ __________________

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.4.2 Determine a theme of a story, drama, or

___________ _ _ ___________

__

_________________ _ _________________

_________________ _ _________________

_________________ _ _________________

_________________ _ _________________

_________________ _ _________________

Effect - Effect -

Cause - _ Cause - _

Effect - Effect -

Cause - _ Cause - _

Effect - Effect -

Effect - Effect -

Effect - Effect -

__

__